Laboratory Automation Lead

Zoetis Spain SL; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis is seeking a Laboratory Automation Lead for the Veterinary Medicine Research and Development organization.

The role will head a team delivering lab automation solutions within the Automation & Data Sciences group, building on ADS capabilities to shape next-generation assay automation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering field with a minimum of 6 years’ industry experience.
• MS degree in science or engineering is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to understand workflows, translate needs into clear requirements, and oversee delivery from planning through execution.
• Own operational excellence for existing automated workflows by establishing support routines, monitoring performance, prioritizing improvements, and driving enhancements to increase reliability and throughput.
• Guide technology evaluation and strategy by assessing new assay automation capabilities, synthesizing findings, and informing VMRD’s automation roadmap and investment decisions.
• Set quality and maintenance processes by defining routine instrument QC standards, ensuring adherence, and coordinating preventive maintenance.
• Enable teams through coaching and support by training end users, building documentation and escalation paths, and ensuring sustained adoption of automated workflows.
• Manage external partnerships by effectively leveraging vendors, integrators, and other outside resources to accelerate development and reduce delivery risk.
• Drive cross-functional alignment by convening automation stakeholders, clarifying roles and decisions, and ensuring consistent practices and priorities across VMRD.

Skills

Laboratory automation

Workflow optimization

Programming liquid handlers

End-user software design

Instrumentation integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

MS degree in science or engineering (preferred)

Tools

Liquid handling systems

Job description

Zoetis is the global leader in animal health, developing innovative pharmaceutical products across the full spectrum of veterinary care. Zoetis is currently recruiting a Laboratory Automation Lead for its world-class Veterinary Medicine Research and Development (VMRD) organization. In this role, the successful candidate will lead a team responsible for the development and implementation of laboratory automation solutions within the Automation & Data Sciences (ADS) group. The position will build on ADS’s industry-leading capabilities and help shape the next generation of assay automation at Zoetis.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to understand workflows, translate needs into clear requirements, and oversee delivery from planning through execution.
• Own operational excellence for existing automated workflows by establishing support routines, monitoring performance, prioritizing improvements, and driving enhancements to increase reliability and throughput.
• Guide technology evaluation and strategy by assessing new assay automation capabilities, synthesizing findings, and informing VMRD’s automation roadmap and investment decisions.
• Set quality and maintenance processes by defining routine instrument QC standards, ensuring adherence, and coordinating preventive maintenance.
• Enable teams through coaching and support by training end users, building documentation and escalation paths, and ensuring sustained adoption of automated workflows.
• Manage external partnerships by effectively leveraging vendors, integrators, and other outside resources to accelerate development and reduce delivery risk.
• Drive cross-functional alignment by convening automation stakeholders, clarifying roles and decisions, and ensuring consistent practices and priorities across VMRD.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering field with a minimum of 6 years’ industry experience.
• Extensive experience programming at least one of the relevant liquid handlers on the market.
• Ability to understand end‑user experience and design user‑focused software interfaces.
• Experience in integrating automation instrumentation with inventory management systems.
• Experience with the development, validation, and maintenance of liquid handler liquid classes.

Technical Skills

Strong background in streamlining workflows and developing automated laboratory processes from the collection of requirements through to implementation and support. Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills required to interact with colleagues, stakeholders, and vendors. Wet lab experience with attention to detail and desire to be a hands‑on team member.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS Degree in a science or engineering field.
• Experience managing a team of 3+ colleagues preferred.

Full time Regular Colleague

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification.

Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system.

We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at [e-mail] to request an accommodation.

Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis.

Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers.

Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact.

Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of “@zoetis.com”. In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.

At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals.

As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock.

We know our people drive our success.

Our award‑winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues’ careers, connection and support.

We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well‑being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.